Is that a sofa?

A growing cast of characters is introduced one by one, engaging in increasingly jolly antics as they all pile onto a couch in this upbeat picture book.

Each page of colorful, sketchlike illustrations superimposed on a muted photographic background corresponds to a page of simple prose narrating the action in each scene, effectively teaching children how to articulate what they see on the page and in the world around them. The narrative introduces spatial vocabulary, such as left, right, middle, and top, and frequently invites dialogue between the child and caregiver to expand on the book’s text. Those seeking an action-packed plot will need to look elsewhere, but this title may feel perfectly comforting to conflict-averse readers. The highest-stakes moment comes in the last few pages, when the lights suddenly go out and the scene is cast in darkness before returning to full brightness.

Characters range from animals to human children depicted with a variety of skin tones, gently highlighting the value of imaginative play, friendship, and inclusion. The animals and children are not given distinct personalities, backstories, or dialogue; readers will have to expand the story on their own. Narrative depth and plot structure are not the focus here. Rather, this title provides educators, parents, and caregivers with a cheerful and straightforward vehicle for an interactive read-aloud experience and an opportunity to teach children how to move from observation to explanation, describing a variety of animals and activities and conveying where the action takes place.